''Ochthera'' is a genus of

flies Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced ...

in the family of shore flies (Ephydridae). The genus is distinctive because of the swollen raptorial forelegs. The larvae are predaceous on midge larvae while the adults feed on midges and mosquitoes. The genus is found around the world with about 37 species. The species ''Ochthera chalybescens'' has been shown to prey on

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

malaria Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...

vectors .

Behaviour

It has been noted that foreleg waving may be involved in displays and UV reflective patches on the face and fore coxae may be involved. Spreading and waving of the foreleg is involved in same sex encounters as well as with male and female pairs during approach. It is not known if it is a threat or a recognition display. Adult ''Ochthera mantis'' have been noted to probe sand with their proboscis and when they detect prey such as chirononomid larvae, they are excavated using the fore tibial spines and held between the tibia and femora as the prey is consumed.Deonier, D. L. (1972)
"Observations on Mating, Oviposition, and Food Habits of Certain Shore Flies (Diptera: Ephydridae)"
''The Ohio Journal of Science''. 72 (1): 22-29. All species in the genus are predaceous.

Species

These 55 species belong to the genus ''Ochthera'': *''

Ochthera acta ''Ochthera'' is a genus of flies in the family of shore flies (Ephydridae). The genus is distinctive because of the swollen raptorial forelegs. The larvae are predaceous on midge larvae while the adults feed on midges and mosquitoes. The genus ...

'' Clausen, 1977 *'' Ochthera anatolikos'' Clausen, 1977 *'' Ochthera angustifacies'' ( Hendel, 1930) *'' Ochthera angustitarsus''

Becker Becker () is one of the German-language surnames, along with Bäcker and Baecker, that derive from the root, which refers to baking. The surname began as a name for a baker (and thus his family). In northern Germany it can also derive from the ...

, 1903 *''

Ochthera argyrata ''Ochthera'' is a genus of flies in the family of shore flies (Ephydridae). The genus is distinctive because of the swollen raptorial forelegs. The larvae are predaceous on midge larvae while the adults feed on midges and mosquitoes. The genus ...

'' Wirth, 1955 *'' Ochthera baia''

Cresson ''Cresson'' is the French word for ''watercress''. It may refer to: ; Places * Battle of Cresson, a small battle fought on May 1, 1187, in what now is Israel, near Nazareth * Cresson, Pennsylvania, a United States borough * Cressona, Pennsylvania, ...

, 1931 *'' Ochthera borealis'' Clausen, 1977 *''

Ochthera brevitivialis ''Ochthera'' is a genus of flies in the family of shore flies (Ephydridae). The genus is distinctive because of the swollen raptorial forelegs. The larvae are predaceous on midge larvae while the adults feed on midges and mosquitoes. The genus ...

'' Meijere, 1908 *'' Ochthera caeruleovittata'' Hendel, 1930 *'' Ochthera canescens''

, 1931 *'' Ochthera canzonerii'' Raffone, 2002 *'' Ochthera chalybescens'' Loew, 1862 *'' Ochthera circularis''

, 1926 *'' Ochthera clauseni'' Raffone, 2002 *'' Ochthera collina'' Clausen, 1977 *'' Ochthera cressoni'' Giordani Soika, 1956 *'' Ochthera cuprilineata'' Wheeler, 1896 *'' Ochthera dasylenos'' Clausen, 1977 *'' Ochthera exsculpta'' Loew, 1862 *'' Ochthera friderichsi'' Enderlein, 1922 *'' Ochthera guangdongensis'' Zhang & Yang, 2006 *'' Ochthera hainanensis'' Zhang & Yang, 2006 *'' Ochthera harpax'' Meijere, 1911 *'' Ochthera humilis'' Williston, 1896 *'' Ochthera innotata''

Walker Walker or The Walker may refer to: People *Walker (given name) *Walker (surname) *Walker (Brazilian footballer) (born 1982), Brazilian footballer Places In the United States *Walker, Arizona, in Yavapai County *Walker, Mono County, California * ...

, 1860 *'' Ochthera insularis''

, 1910 *'' Ochthera japonica'' Clausen, 1977 *'' Ochthera jos''

, 1939 *'' Ochthera lauta'' Wheeler, 1896 *'' Ochthera loreta''

, 1931 *'' Ochthera macrothrix'' Clasuen, 1977 *'' Ochthera manicata'' ( Fabricius, 1794) *'' Ochthera mantis'' (

De Geer The De Geer family (also: De Geer van Jutphaas and De Geer van Oudegein) is a prominent industrial family of Walloon origin that belongs to the Swedish and Dutch nobility. History The name derives from the town of Geer near Liège (in present ...

, 1776) *'' Ochthera mantispa'' Loew, 1847 *'' Ochthera margarita''

, 1932 *'' Ochthera nigricoxa'' (

, 1938) *'' Ochthera nigripes'' ( Enderlein, 1922) *'' Ochthera occidentalis'' Clausen, 1977 *'' Ochthera painteri''

, 1931 *'' Ochthera palaearctica'' Clausen, 1977 *'' Ochthera palearctica'' Clausen, 1977 *'' Ochthera pilimana''

, 1903 *'' Ochthera pilosa''

, 1926 *'' Ochthera praedatoria'' Loew, 1862 *'' Ochthera regalis'' Williston, 1897 *'' Ochthera rossii'' Raffone, 2002 *'' Ochthera rotunda'' Schiner, 1868 *'' Ochthera sauteri''

, 1932 *'' Ochthera schembrii'' Rondani, 1847 *'' Ochthera setigera''

Czerny Czerny is a surname meaning "black" in some Slavic languages. It is one of many variant forms, including Czarny, Černý, Czernik, Cherney, and Čierny, among others. People Notable people with this surname include: *Adalbert Czerny (1863−1941 ...

, 1909 *'' Ochthera speculifera'' ( Enderlein, 1922) *'' Ochthera subtilis'' Adams, 1905 *'' Ochthera triornata''

, 1926 *'' Ochthera tuberculata'' Loew, 1862 *'' Ochthera wrighti''

, 1931

References

Ephydridae Ephydroidea genera Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille Diptera of North America Diptera of South America Diptera of Asia Diptera of Europe Diptera of Africa {{Ephydroidea-stub